Our local fire departments work around the clock to keep our communities safe. From responding to medical emergencies to being the first to arrive at the scene of a fire, our firefighters are invaluable members of our society. Mr Restore has had the pleasure of working closely with many of these departments in the events of fire and water damage. Here are a few things they wish homeowners knew in order to prevent fires and to make responding to emergencies faster. Regularly Practice Fire Drills With Members of Your Household Go over with your family how to exit the house from each room and then practice together leaving the house each month. Be sure to practice crawling on hands and knees and to designate an area for the whole family to meet outside. Create a map of where and how to exit and display it in a visible area in the home. Make sure to have two exit options from each room in case one of them is blocked or unsafe. If every family member knows where to go and how to exit the home safely, things will run much more smoothly in the event of a real fire. Being prepared can potentially save your life. Routinely Inspect Extension Cords According to the National Fire Prevention Association, extension cords are the leading cause of electrical fires in the United States. Damaged or frayed electrical cords can malfunction and lead to electrical fire hazards. It is easy to forget about extension cords in your home, be sure to check them regularly to be sure they do not pose a fire threat. Be...

Solar panels are a good way to save money and help save energy. The use of renewable energy in residential homes have increased dramatically over the past 5 years, and the number continues to grow. There are a number of incentives offered to families who invest in solar panels in Texas, including a Federal Tax credit, equipment rebates, and state tax exemptions. With an average net savings of over $21,000 for Texas residents, installing solar panels to your home’s roof can appear very attractive. Many people do not know, however, that solar panels can be very dangerous for potential fires and firefighters. Considering that solar panels are a relatively new source of energy, both homeowners and first responders need more training and education to ensure the safety of all parties. According to the National Fire Protection Association, some of the main threats to firefighters who respond to a house fire include electrical shock, trips and slips and dead load. Electrical Shock Solar panels provide an energized electrical service on your roof. One of the biggest hazards for firefighters is that this electrical source is not easily shut down. When a firefighter is on the roof to put out a fire, they are at risk for electrical shock due to the solar panels. Not to mention, the heat from the fire and the sun can cause the solar panels to combust while a firefighter is near them. Trips and Slips Firefighters need access to the roof in the case of a fire emergency in order to help create ventilation. The more ventilation the fire has, the easier it...

We have been working on a project for quite some time and it’s finally ready! We have worked with DeSoto Fire Department to build a tower for firefighters to train to prepare them for the physical aspect of their job. This tower is also used for training for events such as the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge. We are so thankful for the DeSoto Fire Department, Training Center and the City of Desoto to make this happen. We are excited to announce our first event, the MrRestore Tower Launch Party! We will have tower races and a mini challenge course for kids. Please check our Facebook page for more details and we can’t wait to see you! ...

We were recently invited to have dinner at Dallas Fire Station 44 as a thank you for our work on restoring a home. It’s not just any home, it’s the one that belongs to Jeff Patterson a firefighter that was severely injured on duty with burns that lead to an very long ICU stay and months of rehabilitation. We were so thankful to be a part of this project to make their home more livable and function better for their family after all they had gone through. His shift at the station took such good care of us and it was obvious that the brotherhood supports each other in all times and those who support the Fire community. We truly enjoyed our visit and our Patterson Project Reunion. For more on their story, you can read about...

We have had the opportunity to support the McKinney Firefighter Combat Challenge team for quite a while. They have proven to be a successful team on and off the course and continue to support their community. While being a part of the fire department and training for Combat Challenge events they have been able to support organizations such as the Special Olympics. More recently, they have raised money for a young girl named Emily with aplastic anemia in need of a bone marrow transplant. The team has put together a calendar for sale that supports their team and allows them to help Emily as well. If you are interested in purchasing a calendar please contact us and we would be happy to get you some! If you would like more information on Emily’s March for a Match, please visit her Facebook page here....

This week we had the opportunity to visit the guys at Dallas Fire Rescue Station 32. We had previously been last year so it was great to see them again! We won this station dinner as an auction item at the Firefighter’s Ball of 2015. Lt. Shane made his famous BBQ and we had way to much of it before they announced there was dessert! And not just one dessert but banana pudding AND bread pudding. We were so thankful for such a great meal but most of all getting the opportunity to spend some time getting to know this crew and even heard a few military stories.We were able to learn more about their brand new station and it’s features. Our time was well spent and we can’t wait to come back to see them...